MESA StAtE of Mind

Transcription

MESA StAtE of Mind

CANADIAN TRAVELLER – Delivering Destination Information
November 2010
Guadalajara
Cape Town
St Lucia
Miami
MESA
state
of mind
Publications Mail Agreement 40623544
Find Out More
On Page 8
Extra This Month
Win A Trip To:
Myrtle Beach
Our network.
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IT’S MAJESTIC,
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Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Majestic elegance
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Majestic colonial Punta cana
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Your clients will join the legions of fans of the impeccable
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Golfers travelling between November 1 and December 23, 2011
will benefit from a free golf promotion at the Punta Blanca
Golf Course.
For more details, see the Nolitours
Sun 2010-2011 brochure or visit nolitours.com
CANADIAN TRAVELLER – Delivering Destination Information
Editor
Janice Strong
November 2010
Volume 25
Issue 11
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$elling With $teve
Caribbean
36
A Voluptuous Beauty
The Truth About Twitter,
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Stunning St Lucia Offers
The Great Caribbean Escape
16
Money Maker$
It’s Spring Break
38
Caribbean Report
Cuba Flights,
CTO Leadership Conference
North America
United States
8
A Mesa State Of Mind
Feeding Mind, Body & Soul
In The Desert
14
Dance, Dance, Dance
Miami’s Live Music Scene
Is Hot, Hot, Hot
20
Discover America
Summer & Winter Adventure
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21
US Report
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Fast Trains, LED Trees &
The Golf Coast
Emerging From The Shadows
Cape Town Leads The Way As
South Africa Sheds Its Troubled Past
Contests
24 19
ISSN 1207-1463
Win A Trip For 2 To Myrtle Beach
Mexico
ON THE COVER:
Mesa, Arizona basks
in a special desert
magic. Find out more
on page 8
Photo Credit:
Mesa CVB
www.canadiantraveller.net
24
Art Writ Large
From Murals To Mariachi, Guadalajara
is THE Place To Discover Mexican Culture
30
Mexico Report
Facebook, Visitors & Money Matters
32
Of God & Silver
Mexico’s Colonial Cities Preserve
Commercial & Cultural Heritage
Canadian Traveller • November 2010 5
$elling with $teve
The Truth About
Twitter, Facebook &
Your Business
FB & The Boomer
Owner/Manager
By Steve
Crowhurst, CTC
There’s a lot of Baby Boomer owners who
are hip to Facebook and Twitter and other
social sites and they get it. They do it. They
are friends with hundreds. Thousands even.
Then there are the majority of Baby Boomer
Agency Owners and Managers who don’t
get it, don’t want it and are wondering
what they’re missing. Well let me jump in
here – unless you can find someone who
has generated $100,000 in commissionable
revenue from their Facebooking activities
– stick to e-mail and direct mail and here’s
why. We’re not fizzy or fuzzy!
Not Fizzy or Fuzzy
Steve Crowhurst, CTC,
author, keynote speaker
and trainer specializes
in NBG – New Business
Generation for the travel and
tourism industry. He offers
four free newsletters, The O&M
for agency owners and managers,
The Frontline for counsellors, The
Edge for home-based agents and
The BDM for suppliers.
Visit his websites:
www.smptraining.com,
www.stevecrowhurst.com
www.homebasedtravelagenttrainer.
com and www.bdmtraining.com
6 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller The businesses that are doing a booming
business via socializing and networking and
friending people they don’t know and having
them “follow-me” via Twitter are selling
products that are fizzy, fuzzy and purchased
on a daily basis. Coca Cola would be one. As
travel agents you don’t sell the same type of
product – something used every day. At best,
your customer would be buying a vacation
once or twice each year.
So you can use social media and social
networking as a marketing, awareness tool,
however, when you scrape away the surface,
your best bet re selling to baby boomers
who are still active, have the time and the
money to travel, is to initiate a referral
program and use e-mail to make contact,
promote and sell.
Out of the entire digital mix, e-mail
remains the most used, most understood,
most accepted and most trusted by the
travelling consumer who is more likely to
open your attachment, read your newsletter
etc., when it arrives, sent to them from their
trusted travel agency of record. YOU.
The Cost of Your Time
A recent social media/networking study
suggested that 76 per cent of those using
these tools are spending up to 10 hours
per day maintaining their connections and
typing their blogs, etc. An average number
of hours came in at four hours per day. So I
calculated three hours per day x 365 days x
$30/hour. The total came to over $40,000
worth of your time – that’s your time, that
you would be investing in the upkeep of
your social friendships.
When you invest $40,000 into anything,
you’ll be wanting three to four times that
amount in ROI. SO back to the question,
who as a travel agent has generated revenue
(not sales) of $100,000+ from Facebook or
any other social network?
who as a travel agent
has generated revenue
(not sales) of $100,000+
from Facebook or any other
social network?
If Not FB – Then Where?
Check the FB sites operated by your suppliers.
Most have tapped into the power of the
movie and image-based social networks. That
would be YouTube and Flickr. This is smart.
Here you can also create your own YouTube
channel and show your videos and images
and of course with permission, you could also
show your preferred suppliers videos on your
YouTube channel. As it’s your channel you
can now sell! You can add words that sell to
your own social network site.
The last word would be this. Some agents I
know have used FB and had some quick wins.
However, for most agencies it’s a long-term
investment of time and if you follow the rules
– you cannot be too blunt about selling your
wares. You must build that friendship first.
I don’t know about you, but when you run
your own business and with December 21,
2012 getting closer, it’s got to be monetizing
time! Sell or Social? Your call. One more click,
go here: www.tripatini.com. You’ll see why
when you get there. Read the home page top
line to the right.
Sing with me now…money, money,
money...
✈
Socialize
or Monetize
WOW! What was that number? 19 million
Canadians are on Facebook. Holy friendme! Now wouldn’t that be something to
chase? Or would it? Should you Facebook
or should you not? According to those that
know you gotta be there. On a worldwide
basis, your audience just blossomed to
500 million. I’m up for this, however CT’s
$elling With $teve column is always about
making money. NBG lives here! New
Business Generation is our goal. It’s my
branded tagline and it should be yours.
Are you a New Business Generator…
or are you a NFG, a New Friend Getter?
My question to you as a travel agency
owner, manager, frontline counsellor is this:
Do you want to socialize or monetize? Do
you want to be socializing or selling?
I wanna hear you screaming at this page…
SELLING!
AI
R
AR
E OF THE Y
E
LIN
SUNWING
AIRLINES
TH
IRD
YE AR
1
UNITED STATES
[
mesa
]
A Mesa State Of Mind
Photos Mesa CVB
Feeding Mind, Body & Soul In The Desert
By Josephine Matyas
It’s a challenge not to get lost in the shadow of a next door neighbour
the size of sprawling Phoenix, but Mesa manages to offer the best urban
amenities and the treasures of the open desert. It’s small enough to be
named a Bicycle-Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists,
yet large enough to provide the zip of nightlife at swanky bars and cosmopolitan dance clubs. Mesa holds it’s own.
Yoga in the desert
UNITED STATES
[
mesa
]
Part of the area’s real beauty is the
incredible variety of ways to feed mind, body
and soul. And it all happens under clear blue
skies (325 days each year is the official claim
to fame), low humidity and warm sunny
days…leave the umbrella at home, but don’t
forget a hat and sunscreen!
Mind
Mesa can thank a rich intersection of
cultures for its incredible diversity. The
ancient Native peoples, Spanish conquistadors, and pioneers seeking out a
new life in the uncharted American West
all left their mark on the culture and
landscape in ways that created a vibrant
melting pot of lifestyle and leisure.
Mesa is one of the nation’s fastest growing cities, and at it’s core is the original
townsite, complete with the wide streets
built when extra space was needed to allow
ox carts to make a turn. This downtown
area is nicknamed “A Square Mile of
Unique Style,” and is the crossroads of an
unsurpassed collection of history, art, theatre and music. Art galleries, antique
shops and a quirky
outdoor
sculpture
collection line the pretty downtown streets.
At the corner of Center and Main streets,
the Mesa Arts Center is a lively performing and visual arts complex – the largest in
the state – and a hub for classes, concerts,
speakers’ series, theatre, festivals and art
exhibitions. For live music in the open
air, the tiered lawn at the nearby Mesa
Amphitheatre is a great way to mix with the
locals while catching some fantastic tunes.
In the heart of downtown, the Arizona
Museum for Youth buzzes with childcentred, hands-on activities that stimulate
fun and creativity. It’s one of only two
museums in the United States with a fine
arts focus. Right next door is the Arizona
Museum of Natural History, boasting
Dinosaur Mountain, the largest dinosaur
exhibit west of the Mississippi River
where Triceratops-crazy kids can
feast on interactive exhibits.
At the north edge of town,
the thriving Mesa Historical
Museum takes a
story-
telling approach to history, heritage and
preservation. Exhibits and shows make
history come alive across the spectrum,
from pop culture to the history of Cactus
League baseball. Just down the road,
the Commemorative Air Force Aircraft
Museum is a feast for those with a craving to get up close to historic authentically
restored aircraft like the F4 Phantom fighter
or the majestic B17 strategic bomber from
the Second World War.
Body
When the setting is right – mountains,
rivers, lakes and desert are close by – and
the skies are sunny and clear, it’s impossible not to be drawn to the fresh air and
outdoors. Mesa’s most popular natural
attractions include
Take A Hike: Exploring the Sonoran
Desert is a true Mesa experience. Follow
marked trails or join a guided walk past
cactus and desert creatures.
10 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller www.canadiantraveller.net
the dramatically craggy Superstition
Mountains, and the tortuous twists and
turns of the steep Fish Creek Hill along
the Apache Trail, a popular 70-kilometre
driving route past magnificent scenery
of mountains, lakes and dense forests of
gigantic saguaro cactus.
Hikers are drawn to Usery Mountain
Regional Park, where 50-kilometres of
trails – from easy to strenuous – for hiking,
mountain biking and horseback riding
reward the dedicated with spectacular
vistas of the surrounding desert plains.
Several times each week the Park staff
offer guided hikes to prehistoric Native
American ruins, petroglyph sites, and outings that focus on birds, reptiles, plants,
washes and riparian communities.
Mesa is an excellent home base for
exploring the beautiful Sonoran Desert.
The arid landscape is anything but barren – it’s a colourful, textured world. Cacti,
succulents and low shrubs like mesquite
have adapted and actually thrive in the
low rainfall and high temperatures. The
critters of the desert follow the daily
temperature fluctuations and are out-andabout when it is coolest. Birds are chirping
in the early morning. Desert animals like
lizards, hares and snakes are on the move
at night, so a walk in the evening or early
morning will be the most rewarding desert
wildlife experience. The protected wildlife
habitat at the Riparian Reserve at Water
Ranch is especially popular with birders;
over 200 species have been sighted there.
In the springtime months, visitors to the
desert are treated to the colourful splash of
wildflower and cactus blooms. Lupine, desert marigold and Mexican gold poppy peak
in March, followed soon after by the cactus
blooms – scarlet ocotillo, prickly pear, teddy
bear cholla, and the night-blooming state
flower of the saguaro.
As popular as hiking is, there’s more than
one way to explore the Sonoran Desert.
Local outfitters offer off road adventure
in the saddle of a horse or the seat of a
jeep. And nothing matches the tranquility
of floating above the dramatic landscape
in the perfect silence of a soaring glider or
the basket of a hot air balloon. Guided raft
and kayak tours or an afternoon of tubing
along the Salt River show the desert from
an entirely different perspective – a cool
and leisurely one!
There’s no denying that golf reins
supreme in this part of the country.
More than 40 courses are within a
30-minute drive of downtown, including challenging desert golf and sweeping
traditional links play designed by Robert
Trent Jones, Jr., Jack Nicklaus and Pete
Dye. With near perfect weather it’s possible to hit the links around the calendar.
Top hotels and resorts have partnered
with award-winning courses to offer
outstanding rates on golf and vacation
packages, making Mesa one of the premier
golf destinations in the Southwest.
Las Sendas Golf Club features breathtaking views of Red Mountain and the
Superstition mountain range. Designed
by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course has
matured into one of the most beautiful
courses in Mesa and ranks as the 12th most
challenging, and one of the top 50 courses
in the US according to two ZAGAT
Surveys. Longbow Golf Club in east Mesa
has also earned its share of praise after
being recognized by Golfweek Magazine
as one of the top 20 courses in Arizona
in their 2007 Best You Can Play, State by
State ranking. The intrigue and shot making choices that players will face here are
infinite. Superstition Springs Golf Club, one
of Arizona’s most challenging golf layouts,
is a PGA Tour qualifying site rated among
the Southwest’s finest golf experiences.
A River Runs Through It: There’s more than one
way to see the desert and tubing down the Salt River
is probably the most relaxing.
UNITED STATES
[
mesa
]
Then there are the spectator sports.
Mesa is a baseball town and home to
the ever-popular Chicago Cubs spring
training camp, a must-do for legions
of diehard fans. Spring training travel
packages put baseball fans in the seats at
Hohokam Stadium, and those “in the
know” ask for seats close to the Cubs
dugout along the first base side of the
field. Just a few kilometres away,
in Phoenix, sports nuts can feast
on Major League Baseball, NHL
hockey, NBA basketball and NFL
Hands On: Mesa
Arts Center is
a hub for the
arts, offering
performances,
viewings and
classes to create
your own.
football…not to mention a complete
roster of college league match-ups.
Soul
Does anyone really have to be sold
on the benefits of a visit to a spa? The
serenity and calm of the desert is the
perfect setting to unwind, take a break,
or to find some relief from sore muscles
after a hike, a day on the links or even
a business meeting. Area day spas offer
a large selection of traditional and
exotic therapies for both men
and women, and are perfect
for couples or for girlfriend
getaways.
Tourists love to shop and
a visit to Mesa does not
disappoint. In the suburban
reaches, there are large
regional malls anchored
by national retailers, and
in the downtown core
unique, independently
owned boutiques,
custom shops and
sidewalk cafes line the
colonnade walkways.
not enough.
when 5 stars are just
Take a break from casinos, beaches and snow
and escape to an uncommon retreat at a historic
ranch resort with the soul of a bed and breakfast.
horses | spa | golf | sTars
800-684-5030
12 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller RAN.r102 CanadianTravelerMag_ThirdPg_E1.indd 1
sunc.com
Lifestyle malls like Dana Park Village,
Superstition Springs Center, Fiesta Mall
and Mesa Riverview offer more than just
hundreds of stores – there are also patios
for dining al fresco, an outdoor amphitheatre, indoor children’s play areas, and a
multi-screen entertainment complex. A big
draw at Mesa Riverview, the city’s newest retail mall, is Toby Keith’s I Love This
Bar & Grill, a 900-seat restaurant featuring a 26-metre guitar-shaped bar, a menu
with Southwest cookhouse favourites, a
mechanical bull and a rollicking dance floor.
At the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
lunch and dinner buffets are followed by
first-class musical productions. On the edge
of town, the Rockin’ R Ranch serves up
barbecue beef and chicken dinners, alongside staged gunfights and the western stage
shows. For music and a meal, the 6,000
pipes, xylophones, glockenspiels and countless traps of the 1927 Wurlitzer organ at
the Organ Stop Pizza make the restaurant a
favourite of kids, parents and grandparents.
What’s New
RT
he Duttons Bring Magic To Mesa:
World-renowned performers, The
Duttons, open their new theatre in Mesa
offering their own special mix of music
and dance. The Duttons have been
recognized as one of the top 10 acts on
NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and voted
Branson’s Best Musical Variety Show.
For performance dates and tickets visit
TheDuttons.com
R Matta’s Moves To Mesa Riverview:
This beloved restaurant serves a West
Texas-style Mexican food that features
the best of both New Mexico and Texas
traditions, chiles and spices at a new
location, Matta’s Grill & Cantina at
Mesa Riverview. mattas.com
R Coopertown & Country: This brandnew, stand-out venue features a huge
billiard room and a massive event hall
with live country music and dance floor.
Cooperstown Sport Bar features live
music every Friday and Saturday
evening, plus free dance lessons and
weekly specials. AZCountryUSA.com
R Still Growing: This winter, PhoenixMesa Gateway Airport will open a new
terminal, adding two more gates, a
Paradise Bakery and additional retail
and dining options. Mesa’s long-awaited
terminal expansion will help meet the
growing demand triggered by Allegiant
Air, LLC who has already brought in
more than a million passengers since
starting service in October 2007.
Phxmesagateway.org
7/29/10 11:26:02 AM
3 Questions With: Milt Fort
✈
RT
ake The Plunge: Offering a new way to shop
in the new economy, a collaborative market is
now open in Mesa called POOL Together. The
public market-like setting offers a unique way
to shop, socialize, eat and be entertained – all
under one roof! Modeled after some of the most
famous public markets in the country, POOL
Together features numerous specialty merchants
selling a diverse mix of high-quality products
and merchandise year-round, seven days a week.
Pooltogether.com
For more information, visit www.visitmesa.com .
Batter Up: Legions of
baseball fans flock to
Mesa for Major League
Baseball’s Cactus
League Spring Training
action at Hohokam
Stadium
1. Why sell Mesa?
Convenience. Value. Fun. Not too many folks realize the sheer size of Mesa and the diversity of
options we boast when planning itineraries. In Mesa, our tour operators are always surprised
to see they can get the same Arizona experience for their attendees at a much lower cost.
Items like free parking, complimentary breakfast buffet, free wi-fi access and room incentives
really do make a difference. When you combine the added value Mesa provides with the
accessibility for tour groups to the Sonoran Desert for off-site activities and seasonal events,
Mesa is a solid choice.
2. What tips/advice do you have for Canadian travel
agents selling Mesa?
Let our destination experts assist you in planning the ultimate tour in the American Southwest.
Mesa – Arizona’s third largest city – boasts a wealth of activities, attractions and adventures not
to mention award-winning resort and hotel properties, entertainment with the largest
arts complex in the Southwest, world-class attractions like Goldfield Ghost Town and
the Dolly Steamboat, all surrounded by the lush Sonoran Desert.
3. What is your favourite Mesa experience?
One of the most stunning offerings we boast is the Rose Garden on the
campus of Mesa Community College. Here, more than 10,000 rose
bushes are on display featuring more than 500 varieties. The garden has
been a recipient of the All American Rose Selection Certificate and it’s a
great place to explore, relax or take in our sought-after desert sun and
warmth in the winter.
Milt Fort,
Director of Marketing
Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.VisitMesa.com
800-283-6372
480-827-4700
You’ll love every piece
of this country.
We Welcome Canadian Travelers!
For discounted rates visit us online
countryinns.com/canada
• Complimentary breakfast buffet
• Outdoor heated pool and whirlpool
• Minutes from championship golf courses
• Convenient location surrounded by great
shopping and attractions
• Complimentary high speed internet
• 11 restaurants and bars adjacent to the hotel
800-456-4000
countryinns.com
6650 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. • Mesa, AZ 85206
countryinns.com/mesaaz
UNitED STATES
miami
]
Photos Greater Miami CVB
[
Dance,
Dance,
Dance
Miami’s Live Music Scene Is Hot, Hot, Hot
By Merle Rosenstein
With its white sand beaches, blue skies and 135
kilometres of Atlantic coastline Miami is a tropical
playground. By day Miami moves at a brisk pace
with a never-ending array of outdoor pursuits. At
night, visitors can move to the throbbing rhythms
of Miami’s famous DJ dance clubs.
And it’s not just the nightlife. You
can get up-close and personal
with Indian rhinos at the new
attraction at Zoo Miami.
14 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller And now with the launch this month of Miami Live
Music Month, local musicians, performers and venues will
take centre stage and visitors can build trip itineraries
around key performances. A month-long kick-off to
celebrate live music in Miami, Miami Live Music Month
paves the way for live local performances throughout
the year. With a focus on small local clubs such as the
Biltmore Bar (Biltmore Hotel), the Vagabond and
Tobacco Road, visitors will have access to the hottest
local acts in unique settings. Miami is said to be gaining
ground on New York and Austin as a live music hub and
with local musicians like Sean Kingston, Gloria Estefan,
John Secada, Ricky Martin, Timbaland and Enrique
Inglesias, it’s easy to see why. A new website,
www.maimilivemusicmonth.com houses an events
calendar and participating venues.
Miami is also home to annual international music
festivals like MDC’s Jazz at Wolfson Presents Monthly
Concert Series (September-April); Festival Miami and
Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest (October); Jazz in the
Gardens Music Festival, Winter Music Conference and
Ultra Music Festival (March); Heineken TransAtlantic
Festival (April); and Mainly Mozart Festival (May).
For a full list of music festivals, go to
www.LiveMiamiMusic.com
What’s New
• Magic City Casino: Live music
performances by Jon Secada and musical
guests at Secada’s, the casino’s new bar.;
more than 7,000 Las Vegas-style slot
machines, an 18-table Poker Room,
outdoor concert amphitheater, live
greyhound racing and multiple food
and beverage outlets.
www.magiccitycasino.com
• Coral Gables Cinematheque: A muchanticipated art cinema on Aragon Avenue
that offers international programming.
www.cinematheque.org
• Coral Gables Museum: Housed in
the city’s historic fire and police station,
the museum showcases architecture,
urban design, planning, and historic
and environmental preservation.
www.coralgablesmuseum.org
• DECOBIKE: The official City of Miami
Beach public bike sharing and rental
program includes approximately 1,000
Custom Program Bicycles and 100+ SolarPowered DECOSTATIONS located at all
major attractions. Daily and hourly rates
are available. www.decobike.com
• Indian Rhino Encounters: The newly
renamed Zoo Miami (formally Miami
Metro Zoo) has opened a new $168,367
Indian Rhino Encounter Station where
zoo patrons will have a unique opportunity
for up-close and personal encounters with
Indian rhinos. www.miamimetrozoo.com
• Jungle Island: New Jungle Island
residents are a family of prairie dogs, a
baby camel, a baby zebra and a family of
marmosets (the smallest primates in the
world). The new Garden Outpost will
provide lots of fun including floating Beach
Balls, life-size and see-through spheres that
allow kids to climb inside and walk
on water. www.jungleisland.com
• South Beach’s Lincoln Road: Recent
enhancements to this iconic Miami
attraction include new luxury stores on its
east end at Washington Avenue and recent
block-long expansion west to Alton Road,
which includes 4-3, MAC, Journelle,
Osklen, Coltori, Swarovski, All Saints and
Herve Leger. The promenade’s captivating
1111 Building and its iconic new parking
garage will become another mainstay,
with its open-air design, black and white
geometric stone paved plaza and native
Floridian landscaping that pays tribute
to the plant life that once dominated the
region in the early 20th century. And in
January 2011, the Frank Gehry designed
New World Symphony performance hall
will also open.
✈
For more information on what’s
new in Greater Miami, go to
www.miamiandbeaches.com.
Call 888.76.MIAMI or explore
SellMIA.com
E X P R E S S P L AY.
Every beach.
ch. Every boutique. Every hotel.
No place can inspire your clients like Miami.
Call 888.76.MIAMI or explore
ore SellMIAA .com for a free Travel Planner and information
experiences.
on our amazing pre- and post- cruise experiences
Resorts Dining Shopping Spas Nightlife Culture and home of the Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest
■
■
■
■
■
Ranked #1 of Top Ten U.S. Destinations by TripAdvisor’s TravelCast.
For more information, please visit us at
www.SunnyIslesBeachMiami.com
Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council is a partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. © 2010.
Money maker$
[
spring break
]
It’s Spring Break
Arizona & South Carolina Are 2 Hot Spots For Family Fun
By Merle Rosenstein
It’s coming. Spring Break is just around the corner – have you make your plans yet?
Have a look at two very different states where kids fun reigns supreme.
Desert Action
Located in a pristine desert setting
with panoramic views of the surrounding
mountains, Talking Stick Resort
is ideal for families seeking luxury
accommodation with a difference.
Families can get busy at the two
swimming pools, playing golf or enjoying
the significant Native American art
collection. Casino Arizona at Talking Stick
Resort takes gaming to a new level in its
cutting-edge, 22,297 square metre
casino. Players enjoy more than 700
multi-dimensional slot machines, as
well as a high-stakes area for added
excitement and a wide array of
table games.
Spring break scientific fun includes Wonderworks Science
Center in Myrtle Beach and the Space Gallery and aircraft
collection at Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson.
Kids can plunge into underwater adventure at Ripley’s
Aquarium at Broadway at The Beach, in Myrtle Beach.
16 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller Scottsdale CVB
Myrtle Beach Area CVB
Metropolitan Tucson CVB
Boasting an average 300 days of sunshine
a year, superb nature viewing and hiking
trails, family friendly accommodations
and restaurants, Arizona makes a perfect
family getaway.
In Scottsdale history buffs both large
and small enjoy the Pueblo Grande
Museum and Archaeological Park where
families can explore 1,500-year-old
Hohokam Indian ruins and full-scale
reproductions of prehistoric homes created
by Arizona’s original adobe builders.
For outdoor fun families can take a hike
at McDowell Mountain Regional Park
in the Sonoran Desert, home to deer,
javelina, birds, and coyotes. Other great
spots for nature viewing are the Desert
Botanical Garden in Papago Park and Out
of Africa Wildlife Park.
Little leaguers can get up close and
personal with their idols at San Francisco
Giants’ Spring training at Scottsdale
Stadium. The Arizona Diamondbacks and
Colorado Rockies will start spring training
at a new 11,000-seat ballpark, Salt River
Fields at Talking Stick in spring 2011.
Spring Break means spring training. Catch Cactus
League action in Scottsdale and Phoenix.
THE HIGHEST RESORT STANDARDS.
IN EVERY SENSE.
Experience one of the most beautiful and distinct resort destinations in Arizona.
Entertainment Elevated.
TAL K I N G ST I C K R E S O R T.C O M | 8 6 6 . 8 7 7.9 8 9 7 | S C O T T S DA L E
Proudly own e d an d op erate d by th e S alt River Pima - Maricop a In dian C ommunit y. ©201 0 Talkin g Stick Resor t
Money maker$
spring break
]
Down in Tucson the world-renowned
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum where
kids will find themselves eye-to-eye with
hummingbirds, mountain lions, prairie
dogs and Gila monsters is at the top of
the list. Find more outdoor fun at Reid
Park Zoo, Saguaro National Park, Sabino
Canyon Recreation Area, Colossal Cave
Mountain Park, Kartchner Caverns State
Park, and children’s gardens at Tucson
Botanical Gardens and Tohono Chul Park.
Science fans head to Pima Air and Space
Museum with more than 200 vintage and
modern aircraft, as well as a Space Gallery
where kids can view a real moon rock and
explore the geology of Mars.
Baseball is big in Tucson as the Cactus
League holds spring training camps in
March for the Arizona Diamondbacks,
Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies.
Watching Tucson’s Minor League Baseball
team, the Sidewinders, is a crowd-pleasing
pastime for families who can catch the
action from the grassy outfield at Tucson
Electric Park.
Those smaller in stature will be instantly
transported to different eras at the Minitime Machine Museum of Miniatures,
housing over 275 miniature houses, room
boxes and enchanting collectibles.
For more information on family
fun, visit www.scottsdalecvb.com and
www.visitTucson.org
By The Sea
Fun begins at the beach, Myrtle Beach
area’s No. 1 attraction, but goes way
beyond sun, sand and surf.
Animal adventurers will love TIGERS
Preservation Station, a free attraction at
Barefoot Landing where kids can pet and
handle tiger cubs, apes and other endangered
species. Find more animal encounters at
Alligator Adventure and Ripley’s Aquarium
at Broadway at The Beach.
For weird and wonderful fun, families
can visit Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Museum, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure,
Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze and
Ripley’s 4D Moving Theatre.
Thrill seekers can experience the
excitement of NASCAR on seven
challenging racetracks at NASCAR
SpeedPark. For more thrills and chills
check out: Myrtle Beach Speedway, Family
Kingdom Amusement Park & Water Park,
Myrtle Waves Water Park, and Wild Water
and Wheels Theme Park.
Baseball fans can come out and
cheer for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a Texas
Rangers Carolina League Class-A affiliate.
The team plays April through September.
At Broadway at the Beach, South
Carolina’s biggest entertainment complex
Wonderworks Science Center, boasting a
wide range of hands-on exhibits, opens in
Spring 2011 and a new 152-metre-long
zip line sends visitors soaring across Lake
Broadway. There is also a ropes course.
Scheduled to open May 2011, the giant
SkyWheel, on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
and Promenade, will feature 42 glassenclosed, temperature-controlled gondolas
that can hold six to eight people for a bird’seye view of the Myrtle Beach area.
And then there is Canadian American
Days March 12 to 20, 2011, a week of fun
events, giveaways, discounts and concerts all
along the Myrtle Beach area.
For more information on family fun,
visit www.VisitMyrtleBeach.ca.
✈
[
Treat all of your senses.
Delight your palate with
a symphony of flavors.
Witness nature at
her artistic best, with
one glorious view after
another. You’ll simply
feel more alive here.
www.visitTucson.org
Metropolitan Tucson
Convention & Visitors Bureau
info@visitTucson.org
It’s Unreal How Real We Are
18 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller For group tours, contact
Judy Wood at jwood@visitTucson.org
MTCVB Feast | Canadian Traveller | July 2010 Issue | 7.125"x4.875"
o
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2
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f
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i
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t
Enter to win a
!
h
c
a
e
B
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l
t
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y
M
QUESTIONS
1. The new downtown Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade is part of the
96-kilometre Grand Strand and made of three sections:
_________________________________________________________
2. When is the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian American Days Festival in
2011, which honours Canadian visitors with special events and discounts?
_______________________________
3. There are _____ public golf courses and ____ miniature golf courses in the
Myrtle Beach area.
4. What is the name of the finest outdoor presentation of American figurative
sculpture in the world with more than 900 works, and recently opened a new
THE PRIZE
• One return trip for two with DirectAir
from either Niagara, NY or Plattsburg, QC
to Myrtle Beach
• S ix nights stay at the Hampton Inn &
Suites Oceanfront
• Two tickets to the nation’s #1 live variety
show, The Carolina Opry
Butterfly House exhibit as part of the Lowcountry History and Wildlife Preserve
located in Murrell’s Inlet?
______________________________
5. What is the e-mail of the Canadian Account Manager located in Oakville,
Ontario, who can assist with all your needs to help you sell the Myrtle Beach area?
________________________________________________
Complete all information and fax to the number below or visit canadiantraveller.net/contests/MyrtleBeach:
Name:__________________________________________ Company:_____________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________City:_____________________________
Prov:_______________________ Postal Code:____________________ Telephone:___________________________________
Fax:_______________________________Signature:___________________________________________________________
E-mail:_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Fax: (604) 699-9993
THE RULES
1. To enter the contest, the entrant must be a bona
fide travel agent actively working in the industry,
a resident of Canada who has reached the age
of majority in the province in which he/she
resides, who is not an employee of, a member
of the immediate family of, or domiciled with, an
employee of ACT Communications Inc., its agents
or distributors, or any of the prize donors. Note:
Contest is not valid in any jurisdiction where
prohibited by law. Odds of winning are contingent
be answered. The solutions can be found in the
the week of February 7, 2011 and announced in
upon the number of entries received.
Myrtle Beach Sales Guide.
the April issue of Canadian Traveller.
2. E ntrants must complete all questions, and include 5. One prize will be awarded consisting of a pair of
8. All entries become property of Canadian Traveller
their name, telephone number and signature.
round trip tickets courtesy of Direct Air, 6 nights
which assumes no responsibility for printing error or
3. M
ail or fax entries to “Myrtle Beach Contest”
lodging at Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront, and 2
lost or misdirected entries. No communication will be
Canadian Traveller, 88 East Pender Street, Suite 555,
tickets to the Carolina Opry. Some restrictions apply.
entered into except with the winning entrant.
Vancouver, BC V6A 3X3. Fax: (604) 699-9993. Entries 6. The prize redemption dates will be provided to
9. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be
must be received by January 31, 2011.
the winner. It must be accepted as awarded, is not
disqualified.
4. T he draw will be made February 7, 2011 from
redeemable for cash and is not transferable.
10. If more than one agent in your office wishes to
all correct entries received. All questions must
7. The winner will be advised by telephone during
enter, please photocopy this page.
Double Duty Destinations
Summer & Winter Adventure Across The US
“
there are
lots of wonderful
US destinations that
combine ski hills and
summertime artisan
markets
To find out more about the Discover
America - Canada Committee, attend
a meeting or receive the bi-monthly
newsletter, contact them by fax at
416) 352-5567, by e-mail at admin@
seeamerica.ca or visit www.seeamerica.ca
C A N ADA
A N ADA
C A N ADA
20 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller New Mexico
Santa Fe lies in the heart of the American
Southwest, where the New Mexico high desert
intersects the Rocky Mountains. Peak season is
the summertime, with warm days, cool nights
and a calendar filled with daily events. The city
is best known as the second largest art market
in the US with abundant galleries and a busy
schedule of citywide events. Summer is also
the season of bountiful performing arts like
the Santa Fe Opera. Winter is just as appealing,
when the nearby Rockies are covered in powder
snow and offer outstanding skiing. All of Santa
Fe’s many museums, shops and galleries bring
visitors to town year round. Wintertime savings
at city hotels can mean 20 to 40 per cent savings
off regular prices. For example, the luxurious
Encantado, an Auberge Resort, is offering 25 per
cent savings through January 4, 2011. Specials
and promotions can be found at santafe.org/
Visiting_Santa_Fe/Specials/index.html
Just down the highway, Taos is known
for its world-famous ski hills and as the
original art colony in the US (it’s the onetime
home of painter Georgia O’Keeffe). Besides
browsing the galleries, summertime is perfect
for horseback riding in the mountains and
for rafting the Rio Grande River. Winter
fun includes skiing (Taos Ski Valley Resort),
snowshoeing, or snowmobiling by the light
of the full moon. Taos is rich in ancestral
history that can be visited around the calendar:
centuries-old adobe churches, Pueblo
ceremonial dances and, of course, the world
famous Taos Pueblo. Special deals are at
www.TaosVacationGuide.com/time-for-taos
Arizona
Year round, outdoor recreation is a big draw
in Flagstaff, where the combination of high
altitude (2,135 metres), low humidity and
diverse terrain provide mild weather conditions.
Just two hours north of Phoenix, Flagstaff’s
forests of ponderosa pine are a breathtaking
contrast to the Sonoran Desert landscape in
the southern part of the state. In the summer,
the city’s moderate temperatures (average of
28C) are perfect for hiking, mountain biking,
kayaking and rock climbing. In the winter, an
annual average snowfall of 276 cm and average
temperatures around 10C, make exploring the
outdoors a pleasant experience. The nearby
San Francisco Peaks are home to the tallest
mountains in Arizona (3,851 metres) and the
Arizona Snowbowl ski resort has runs for skiers
and snowboarders. The Flagstaff Nordic Center
offers cross-country trails for skiers of all abilities.
www.flagstaffarizona.org
South Carolina
It’s known as the Grand Strand – the Myrtle
Beach area that is wildly popular with
Canadian travellers. With a mild annual average
temperature of 23C and an average of 215
sunny days each year, visitors can experience a
variety of both indoor and outdoor attractions,
in summer and winter. Shopping, dining and
live entertainment shows are popular year
round; the ocean and beaches are magnets in
the summer and shoulder seasons, and golf,
museums and nature excursions make for a
perfect winter holiday. There are dozens of
lodging deals for the upcoming winter months
at www.visitmyrtlebeach.ca but here are a
few samples:
The Hampton Inn Northwood Shop Till You
Drop package includes accommodations for up
to four people with rate of US $101, including a
coupon book for shopping outlets, a US $25 gift
card for Tanger Outlets, daily breakfast and a late
check out. Offer valid through March 31, 2011
(black out date of December 31, 2010).
www.hamptonnorthwood.com/specials.php
The Couples Winter Relief Package at
Myrtlewood Villas is a perfect getaway for
couples. Guests who stay in a two-bedroom,
two-bathroom condo for three nights will
receive two tickets to Legends in Concert, as
well as a Tanger Outlet coupon booklet (savings
of up to US $1,300). Rates starting at US $269
per night; offer valid January 1 – March 31,
2011 (blackout dates apply). search.guestdesk.
com/reservations/MyrtlewoodVillas/
search/8628?tollfree=1-888-6706976&cmpid=2011csCWR
At the Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort,
the Ultimate Winter Escape package offers
rates starting at US $57 January 1 through
March 3, 2011 (minimum two-night stay).
The special includes a daily breakfast buffet,
free bicycle rental to “Bike the Neck” on the
Waccamaw Neck Bike Trail and unlimited
availability of the resort’s award winning
clay tennis courts at the Litchfield Racquet
Club. search.iqrez.com/reservations/
LitchfieldBeachAndGolfResort/search/8618
✈
by Josephine Matyas
Lucky are the destinations that do double duty –
those that have something to offer through both
summer and winter seasons. Weather patterns
and geography can be the determining factors,
but there are lots of wonderful US destinations
that combine ski hills and summertime artisan
markets, or oceanfront and outlet shopping malls.
There are many scattered across the country; here
are a few to suggest to your clients.
United States
W
report
And we love spending our money there. For the first nine months
of 2010, total spending by Canadian visitors grew 14.1 per cent
to $502 million due to a 12.2 per cent increase in visitor arrivals.
Average daily spending remained relatively unchanged
compared to year-to-date 2009, at $144 per person.
The average daily spending in September 2010 was
$165 per person, translating to total Canadian visitor
expenditures of $29.6 million for the month.
Hawaii Tourism Authority/Joe Solem
The
new 251room W Austin
opens next month right next door to the new
home of Austin City Limits, the longest-running
music series in American television history, in Block
21, set to open January 2011. The W Austin features
four different ‘living rooms’ – one decked out
in vintage Mac equipment, which boasts a
collection of vinyl for DJ’ing purposes.
www.starwoodhotels.com
I AM Legendary.
Earthlodge Indian Village, New Town
]
Canada Loves Hawaii
Ranked “Most Affordable” by AAA.
Austin CVB
Another
[
NDTourism.com or call 1-800-435-5663 for a FREE Group Travel Guide
United States
[
report
]
nATIOnAL PARK
Anchorage CVB
Alaska Is On Sale
Grayline of Alaska is taking off $500 per couple on all its 2011 escorted tours
of six days or longer if booked by December 31. The Great Land Explorer is
a fully excorted eight-day/seven-night excursion by boat, railcar and deluxe
motor coach between Fairbanks to Anchorage that starts at US $2,239 and is
commissionable at 10 per cent. www.graylineofalaska.com
EveryThing from A To Zion
Harry Potter
In Seattle
Harry Potter: The Exhibition runs through January 30 at Pacific
Science Center in Seattle, Washington. The experiential exhibition
offers fans a firsthand view of hundreds of authentic artifacts
displayed in settings inspired by the film sets – including the Great
Hall, Hagrid’s hut and the Gryffindor™ common room. General
public admission is US $26 for adults; US $24 for seniors (65 and
over) and youth (6-15); US $17 for children (ages 3-5). A daytime
ticket includes admission to all of Pacific Science Center’s
exhibits. www.pacificsciencecenter.org
KreacherTM, Harry Potter: The Exibition
Hot
Hotel Deals
Fly direct! Delta via Salt Lake City
22 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller NYC&Co/Jen Davis
A year round golf destination that has
lots of options for every golfer’s skill
level, schedule and pocketbook! Nine
courses within a 20 minute drive and
multiple lodging options. Book up to
six months out at RedRockGolf.com.
“New York City’s hotels are offering amazing value in January and February. With discounts
on room rates or value-added amenities at close to 100 properties, visitors will have more
reason than ever before to visit one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations,” said
George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the city’s official marketing, tourism and partnership
organization. The deals – which include up to 25 per cent off room rates or value-added
offers – will give visitors more reason to book now for travel in early 2011. A complete list of
all the hotel offers can be found at nycgo.com/getmorenyc/hotels
™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s10)
Two hours north and a million miles
away from Las Vegas, this National
Park favorite will amaze and inspire
you! Take advantage of hiking and
biking trails, horseback riding, jeep
tours, rappelling, atv excursions and
more. Don’t forget your camera!
Brighten up their day
with a free night.
Book Hawaii and get one night free.
Say aloha to perfect moments in Hawaii - book your clients a vacation package to any of the Honolulu or Maui
hotels listed below and they’ll enjoy a free night’s stay.*
Honolulu hotels include:
Maui hotels include:
Outrigger Reef on the Beach ★★★★+
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach ★★★★
OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber ★★★+
Aston Waikiki Sunset ★★★+
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani ★★★
OHANA Waikiki West ★★★
Aston at the Waikiki Banyan ★★★
Aston Pacific Monarch ★★★
AQUA Waikiki Pearl ★★★
Park Shore Waikiki ★★+
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa ★★★★+
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa ★★★★+
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa ★★★★
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa ★★★★
Aston Ka’anapali Shores ★★★+
Aston at the Maui Banyan ★★★+
Aston Maui Ka’anapali Villas ★★★+
Outrigger Napili Shores ★★★
Outrigger Maui El Dorado ★★★
Outrigger Royal Kahana ★★★
We’re constantly working on new, client pleasing packages backed by our extensive schedule, flexible stay
dates and the WestJet brand of friendly service. And remember, every time you book with WestJet Vacations,
you’ll earn a great commission.
Book today at agent.westjetvacations.com
or call us at 1 877 737 7002.
*Minimum night stay required and varies based on the hotel. Other restrictions apply. See westjetvacations.com
for details. Mailing address: 22 Aerial Place NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3J1
mexico
[
guadalajara
]
ART WRIT
From Murals To Mariachi, Guadalajara Is THE Place To Discover Mexican Culture
By Judy Waytiuk
T
ravellers seeking some
of the finest history
and culture Mexico
offers, along with a little kickback vacationing surrounded by
other North Americans, can’t do
any better than Guadalajara and
its neighbouring communities
around Lake Chapala.
Charter packages don’t do
this kind of trip, but it’s an easy
assembly for any solid agent to
provide: flight, car rental and
hotel in Guadalajara along with
a short-list of highlights to hit.
The tough part comes when
selecting accommodations in the
outlying lakeside communities.
Chapala and Ajijic (AH-hee-hic),
because there’s a stunning variety of hotels, B&Bs, and vaca-
k
– but still plenty of options suit-
Bill P
erry/S
hutte
on the two towns. Fewer choices
rstoc
tion home rentals on the market
able for Canadian tastes – await
in the lesser-known spa village
of San Juan Cosala and
traditional Jocotepec.
Guadalajarans love their public art
big and bold including murals of
local hero Miguel Hidalgo painted
by Jose Clemente Orozco.
LARGE
Somehow buying local
crafts like glassware
and pottery where you
saw them made carries a
special cachet.
Hotels near this city’s historic centre
are the best bets for travellers who
don’t want to squander a small fortune
on taxis to get to the tourism hot spot:
the triplet pedestrian-only plazas of
Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Liberacion,
and Plaza Tapatia. The three plazas are
edged by all the major cultural/historic
features on any must-do list.
The magnificent cathedral fronting
the Plaza de la Liberacion took three
centuries to build and had its facade and
towers wrecked during an earthquake,
forcing major reconstruction in the 19th
century. Adjacent to the cathedral, the
Museo Regional de Guadalajara shows
off everything from a complete mammoth skeleton to artwork by area artists.
Across from the museum, the
Baroque, 1770’s-vintage Palacio del
Gobierno is the operating seat of
government, but it’s wide open to
visits from tourists wanting to see the tumultuous, massive
murals of Jose Clemente Orozco, celebrating local independence hero Miguel Hidalgo who put an end to slavery
here in 1810. An ornate bandstand in the middle of the
adjacent Plaza de Armas hosts free concerts on Thursday
and Sunday evenings.
This is also the spot to pick up a calandria – horse-drawn
carriage – for a comfortable tour of the area by hoof.
But footwork yields a lot more local flavour; all along
the string of plazas, office workers nosh down on bagged
lunches, mothers watch children playing in fountains to cool
off, and peddlers hawk wares from balloons and Mexican
flags to packaged snacks with dubious best-before dates.
Bill Perry/Shutterstock
Guadalajara Gotta-Do’s
Worth a peek inside as well as from the outside is the
Teatro Degollado, with a red and gold interior and dome
boasting a fresco of scenes out of Dante’s Divine Comedy;
it seems Guadalajarans are traditionally fond of artwork writ
large in their public buildings. More evidence of this fascination turns up at the Instituto Cultwural Cabanas, where the
prolific Orozco, a favourite local artistic hero, covered the
interior walls and ceiling of the former orphanage’s old chapel with flamboyant murals, culminating in the central Man
in Flames depiction of his favourite subject, Hidalgo.
Time a visit for the annual, 10-day Mariachi and Charro
Festival in late September, and the city is layered in mariachi
music from bands from all over the world (even the Japanese
have a few entries in the competitions) as well as displays
mexico
[
guadalajara
]
Top: Mariachi madness runs throughout
Guagalajara during the 10-day Mariachi
and Charro Festival in September.
Bottom: Calandria, horse-drawn
carriages, are the way to see Guadalajara
sites including the Teatro Degollado and
its inspiring frescos.
Cristian Lazzari/iStockphoto
of traditional charreria – Mexican rodeo
performed by charros, or cowboys. Parades
that combine both take over main streets,
and throngs of thousands line the curbs
to experience the wonder of two favourite
cultural features mashed together into one
very noisy celebration.
Add tequila to the mix, and you’re guaranteed a world-class hangover, which will be
made all the worse by street-roaming eightman mariachi troupes blasting their horns and
singing at the tops of their frighteninglypowerful (though, thankfully, melodic) lungs.
More sedate pursuits outside the city
centre include a visit to the Basilica
de Zapopan, once a separate town but
now effectively a suburb of sprawling
Guadalajara, where one of Mexico’s most
revered relics is housed – the Virgin of
Zapopan, a small, unassuming statue that’s
believed to stave off natural disasters.
Shoppers inevitably head to tony,
pedestrian-only TlaquePaque (TLACK-ayPACK-ay), once a small crafts village, now
the in-crowd dining, souvenir and crafts
shopping hotspot for tourists. Almost three
dozen restaurants ring the once-tiny town’s
main square, and the crafts sold here are
generally of better quality than
can be found elsewhere.
On a smaller scale, the alsoabsorbed village of Tonala
houses thousands of artisans
turning out crafts and ceramics.
A few of their studios are open
to the public; somehow, buying
glassware or pottery right where
you saw the stuff being made
carries a special cachet.
Mexico Tourism Board
Onto The Lakeside
26 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller With a rented car, a good map,
and a little curiosity, visitors to
Guadalajara can open up a whole
new world of vacation exploration by heading south to Lake
Chapala. Thanks to its water
being diverted elsewhere for
agricultural irrigation, the lake
is drying up, very slowly. Once
mexico
guadalajara
]
Mexico Tourism Board
[
Locals and visitors head to the Plaza de Armas on Thursdays and Sundays for free concerts in the ornate bandstand.
a livelihood source for fishermen, it’s now the
backdrop for a string of small, wildly-charming
villages that once were vacation spots for wealthy
Guadalajarans and have in recent decades attracted
hordes of ex-pat, retired Americans and Canadians
who live here happily for much of the year, and,
when they decamp back “home” briefly, often rent
out their homes to short-stay vacationers.
Plenty of websites offer real estate rentals –
and purchase possibilities – listing these available
little casas. But there’s a wide range of hotels and
B&Bs to be found in the towns through Googleable websites as well.
In Chapala, luxury B&B Casa Mis Amores is
a member of Historic Hacienda Inns of Western
Mexico, and the Lake Chapala Inn and Quinta
Quetzalcoatl are clean, comfy and decent quality
locations. Bear in mind Mexicans vacation here,
too, and often opt for more bargain-oriented,
much simpler accommodations, like the Chapala
Hotel – really a three-storey motel. Clean, but very
definitely not fancy.
28 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller West of Chapala, Ajijic offers a broad assortment
of higher-end hotels and B&Bs, like La Nueva
Posada, with groomed gardens and top-notch
restaurant, or Los Artistas B&B, complete with
swimming pool. The simpler, less expensive, and
more traditionally Mexican-style Ajijic Suites (this
writer’s favourite) is right off the town square and
offers small kitchen facilities.
The primary charm to these villages, Chapala,
Ajijic, San Juan Cosala, and Jocotepec, is a laidback, manana atmosphere. Nobody here hurries,
though occasional visiting bus tour groups do blast
brief moods of souvenir-seeking urgency through
the little crafts markets, delightful shops, quaint
restaurants, and quiet lakeside boardwalks. In
Chapala, the recreation of choice often involves
a covered water taxi trip out to one of the lake’s
small islands – the fish restaurants of Isla de los
Alacranes, or the ruins of an old fort on Mezcala –
and a water tour around the lake’s edge.
Once you get west of Chapala and Ajijic, you’re
in no-guide-book country. These are villages that
The place
to discover a whole new world.
A new era begins at rivieramaya.com
Snorkeling
mexico
[
report
]
The state of Quintana Roo has
announced the launch of its social media
platforms on Facebook and Twitter under
the name of MexCaribbean. facebook.
com/mexicaribbean and twitter.com/
mexcaribbean will allow users to virtually
visit the area, express their interest and
enthusiasm and share the experiences
that the region has to offer.
mexico
[
guadalajara
]
Only A Click Away
Numbers Are Up
Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism recently announced that
from January to September of this year, the number of
international tourists arriving in Mexico by air increased by
18.8 per cent, in comparison to the same
period last year and 6.4 per cent
in comparison to 2008, one of
Mexico’s healthiest tourism
years on record. More than
1.75 million visitors from
Canada touched down in
Mexico between January
and August of this year, a
21.8 per cent increase in
comparison to the same
period in 2009, and an
impressive 31.9 per cent
increase in comparison to 2008.
30 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller For more information, click to
www.visit mexico.com
✈
Money Matter$
The Mexican Government passed a new antimoney laundering law beginning September
14 that restricts the acceptance of US cash.
Other methods of payment like credit cards
of all types and all issuing banks, travellers
cheques, Mexican pesos and Canadian dollars
are NOT affected in any way by this new law.
qualify as genuinely-undiscovered by most North
Americans, though they are popular secluded
vacation hideaway locations for well-heeled
Mexicans, and a stay in any of these spots will
confer adventurous bragging rights on those
intrepid enough to try something just a little
out of the ordinary. Friends need not necessarily know that they are safe, friendly little places
where some English is even spoken, especially
in the hotels and B&Bs.
San Juan Cosala’s fully heated: the place is
crammed with hot springs. Along with a few
other small hotels, the Hotel Balneario San
Juan Cosalá, probably the best choice for North
American tourists, offers a full range of spa
therapy and massage in addition to its own water
park. But for upscale travellers, the 11-suite
Monte Coxala Spa, starting at well over $220 a
night, offers top-notch facilities and high-end
honeymoon-romantic suites.
At Jocotepec, on the western tip of the eastwest stretching lake, Los Dos B&B, a member
of the Historic Hacienda Inns Association,
offers solar-heated pool, extensive gardens,
and four full suites (with kitchens) filled with
Mexican craftwork and charm. The 12-room
Quinta San Carlos fairly drips high-end Mexican
charm, with the public areas far more upscale
than the rooms – which are lovely, just not
spectacular. And 10-suite Casa Del Chante is
inexpensive (less than US $100 a night) with
free internet access and a spa.
n
á
t
a
c
u
2012
Y
Un nuevo katún comienza...
mexico
Of God
& Silver
[
colonial cities
]
San Miguel del
Allende: Not a silver
city, but a stopover
on the silver
route.
Cathedrals & Silver Heritage
Highlight Mexico’s Colonial Cities
By Judy Waytiuk
Consejo Turistico de San Miguel de Allende
Ranging from the bustling centre of massive Mexico
City to tiny, traditional villages like little Patzquaro in
the unspoiled state of Michoacan, Mexico’s colonial
cities are pure eye candy for lovers of fine historic
architecture and local culture. After travellers have
seen even one of these exquisite places,
they’re hooked on the genuine Mexico
– an addiction impossible to kick.
Morelia Tourist Board
Morelia: A main
square perfect for
evening strolling.
The Silver Cities
The Spaniards who colonized Mexico in the early 1500s
learned very quickly there was silver here, and many colonial
cities are former mining towns. One little-known but
spectacular such city is Zacatecas, an hour’s flight north of
Mexico City, cradled between the twin hills of El Cerro and
La Bufa. Like other such cities, once silver prices plummeted,
Zacatecas, founded in 1546, went through a period of
commercial inactivity that became a blessing, because its
incredible pink stone, ornately-built, cobblestone
core remained unrazed by developers.
The stunning Baroque architecture from that early era now
houses dozens of remarkable museums and galleries.
The El Eden mine can be explored with a route that exits at
a cable car platform to take visitors over the city and across to
La Bufa, with its hilltop church and monuments to Mexican
32 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller freedom fighters. Other landmarks include the pink stone
cathedral, the former convent of San Francisco, the church
of Santo Domingo, the Rafael Coronel Museum, Viceregal
Museum of Guadalupe, Plaza de Armas (18th-century main
square), and the art nouveau Calderon Theater.
More silver history can be found at Guanajuato, once
the silver mining capital of the world,
370 kilometers northwest of Mexico City. Here, too, are
a plethora of monuments, museums, and Baroque and
Neoclassical architecture like the churches of La Valenciana
and La Basílica, along with various regular major celebrations
like the annual Holy Week processions and the Lady of
Guanajuato commemoration.
If you want to buy silver, Taxco’s the place to do it.
A few hours east of Acapulco and a few hours west of Mexico City,
Taxco, founded in 1529, offers the cobblestones, the architecture,
mexico
]
the tile roofs, plazas, and plenty of
silversmiths. The Baroque architecture
piece de resistance here is the Santa Prisca
church, with an interior finished, ironically,
in gold leaf.
San Luis Potosi, an hour from Mexico
City by air, started off as a Franciscan
mission in 1592, but gold and silver
were discovered, so it, too, became a
mining city. Today, the attractions here
are massive churches, and a traditional
downtown core, which, like the old
centres of many other colonial cities,
is closed to traffic. For a break from
buildings, there’s a healthy
sprinkling of hot springs
in the area for swimming and sunning.
Not a silver city itself, but a stopover on
the silver route from Zacatecas, San Miguel
de Allende, founded in 1542, may be the
best-known colonial city
in Mexico thanks to a huge expatriate
population of Americans and Canadians.
For travellers seeking an initial plunge into
the real Mexico, this is the town to do it;
English is commonly spoken.
34 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller Guanajuato:
Architecture
combines
Baroque and
Neoclassical
styles.
Colonial Queens
Morelia, founded in 1541, offers more
than 200 historic, ornately-detailed
buildings to explore, blending Renaissance,
Baroque and Neoclassical. In 1580, the
city became the capital of Michoacan.
Today, buildings in the historic downtown
must clearly mimic Spanish colonial style
– at least on the outside. Step through
the colonial entrances, and inside, hotels
fronting onto the main square are as
modern as they come.
Must-sees include the incredible
cathedral in the main square that’s
perfect for evening strolling, the
amazing 253 baroque-arch Aqueduct,
the museums and crafts markets, and
the candy market, where sweet
sugar and chocolate skulls
abound leading up to the Day of
the Dead celebrations.
In Oaxaca, a delightful, shady main
plaza, government palace, Cathedral of
Oaxaca, churches with exquisitely-detailed
facades and interiors, vie for attention
with plenty of open-air restaurants
Mexico Tourist Board
colonial cities
where you can find, among other
delicacies, fried grasshoppers (crunchy,
but not much taste. They’re better with
salsa). On Sundays, the local symphony
orchestra does enthusiastic open-air
free performances, and the city market
a couple of blocks’ walk away, open all
week long, offers up food, including
grasshoppers by the bagful,
souvenirs, clothing, footwear, toys, treats
and delectable pastries.
For more information, click to
www.vistmexico.com
✈
[
caribbean
[
st lucia ]
A Voluptuous
Beauty
St Lucia Tourist Board
Stunning St. Lucia Offers
The Great Caribbean
Escape
By Melanie Reffes
West of Barbados and south of
Martinique, St. Lucia is celebrated for its voluptuous natural
beauty that includes the spectacular twin Piton Mountains, drive-in
volcano, black sand beaches and
a rainforest that teems with wild
orchids and fragrant fruit trees.
A five-hour flight from Toronto,
the picturesque island is a hop
away with easy connections from
St Lucia Tourist Board
other cities.
“The Canadian market is very important
to St. Lucia,” said Senator Allen
Chastanet, minister of tourism. “The
dollar is strong and we have seen an
increase in arrivals to the Caribbean this
year. Year-to-date, arrivals have grown
14.3 per cent over 2009, which is very
encouraging. This can be attributed to the
increased airlift from Air Canada and West
Jet and a proactive advertising campaign
launched in partnership with our travel
partners to ensure that we keep the island
top-of-mind year-round.”
The Big Sleep
The recipient of the prestigious AAA Five
Diamond Rating for 2011, Jade Mountain
is the fifth resort in the Caribbean to
attain such honours after the Ritz Carlton
resorts in Grand Cayman and Montego
Bay, Tortuga Bay in the Dominican
Republic and Sandy Lane in
Barbados. “We do not only
want to meet guest
expectations with our
service, we want to
exceed them
every step
of the
St Lucia beaches are
open to everyone.
way,” said Karolin Troubetzkoy, co-owner
and director of marketing. Adjacent to
the Piton Mountains, the luxe resort was
built by Russian-Canadian architect Nick
Troubetzkoy who designed every suite with
an open-plan concept that has no fourth
wall between the room and the view.
Re-branded this month as The
Tides Sugar Beach, the former Jalousie
Plantation underwent a US $100 million
enhancement that bought two new
restaurants, villa suites, Cane Bar with rums
chosen by a ‘rummelier’ and Rainforest Spa
with tree house treatment rooms.
Beachfront on a sloping hillside,
Calabash Cove tempts the winter weary
with swim-up cottages on the water’s edge.
Popular with families spending Christmas
together, the resort offers meal plans, golf
and an afternoon aboard the Brig Unicorn,
a yacht featured in the Pirates of the
Caribbean film.
In the heart of funky Rodney Bay, Bay
Gardens Hotel, Bay Gardens Inn and Bay
Gardens Beach Resort welcome families,
couples and singles with comfy suites and
rates starting at US $65 per night at the
Hotel through December 15.
Fifteen minutes from the Hewanorra
International Airport, Coconut Bay
Beach is the best deal on the south
coast with an all-inclusive plan, cabana
beds in the sand , oceanview Kai-Mer
Spa and ‘Splash’, the island’s largest
water park with a Kidz Club, lazy river
and paintball course. Couples can say,
“I do” in the mountaintop lighthouse wedding gazebo with sweeping views of the
sea and all details arranged by the resort’s expert team of wedding planners.
UP TO
50%
Seismic Matters
Iconic and statuesque, the twin peaks that rise out of the sea are the national symbols of the island
and the most visited tourist attraction. Gros Piton (798 metres) and Petit Piton (750 metres), or
the Piton Mountains, were formed of lava and rock and blanketed with rare plants seen only in
this area. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, tours of the peaks are sold at most of the hotels and
resorts. Next door, the Sulphur Springs – one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes – is a rocky
landscape of bubbling craters seething with sulphur and hissing with steam.
Cashing in on the image of the mountains, Heineken opened their first Caribbean
brewery in St. Lucia and began production of Piton Beer more than 15 years ago. Today, the
Windward and Leeward Brewery Company brew three kinds of beer: Piton lager has a floral
St Lucia beaches are
aroma and an alcohol content of 5 per cent; Piton Malta packed with vitaminsopen
and no
alcohol;
to everyone.
and Piton Shandy, a blend of beer lemon, sorrel and ginger.
A Blue Streak
Beaches are open to the public with sun worshippers hunkering down on Reduit Beach, and
Anse des Pitons where the sea is a feast of sparkling blues. Invitingly serene, the beach on
Pigeon Island National Park is for sunning, swimming and a climb up to the Fort Rodney
ruins for vistas of Martinique on a clear day. Anse Chastanet is carpeted with sand that
reflects the black volcanic origins of the island, while Jalousie Beach, between the Gros and
Petit Piton peaks, welcomes with sugary white sand and waters as clear as high-octane rum.
Hot Tables
For more information, visit
www.saintlucianow.com.
✈
The century-old market in the capital city of Castries dishes up a delectable array of local treats
that range from chewy cassava bread speckled with cherries and nutmeg and rotis packed with
spicy lamb and fresh mangoes, to papayas and coconuts from the tree.
Every Friday from 8 pm until the fun runs out, Anse-la-Raye, on the west coast, is all about
seafood with sides of roasted corn, hot bakes and plenty of frosty Piton beer. The main
road is a no-car zone with stalls hawking bubbling conch stew and lobsters by the pound.
For party people with an appetite, the Friday night Gros Islet JumpUp is chockablock with barbecues grilling chicken, pork and fish.
The island’s longest running street party keeps locals and
tourists happy until the early morning hours. On the east
coast, Dennery Fish Saturday salutes the sea with
another spirited street party. The salty air mixes
well with aromas of fresh fish while soca and
calypso ignite the night air.
OFF
discover the real
Caribbean
Imagine relaxing in the
wonderful Caribbean
sunshine, or strolling along a
glorious white sandy beach
before bathing in the warm,
turquoise sea. Welcome to
your perfect vacation,
by rex resorts.
Your Choice
Seven beautifully located
Caribbean properties, two of
these are in Saint Lucia:
Try the newly refurbished suites
at Royal by rex resorts
Now with up to 35% off!
Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle at
St Lucian by rex resorts
Up to an amazing 50% off!
For further information and
bookings call rex resorts on
+1 (305) 471-6170 or visit
www.rexresorts.com
cam
Saying “I Do”
with a sea view.
ANTIgUA • gRENAdA • SAINT LUCIA
TobAgo • bARbAdoS
RR1005 StLucia CTNov10 AW.indd 1
08/10/2010 09:40
caribbean
[
report
]
5 Questions With: Yehudi Altman
A bit about WestJet Vacations
product to Cuba:
WestJet Airlines will fly from Toronto to
Varadero four times per week; Holguin
two times per week; Cayo Coco two
times per week; and Santa Clara
(Cayo Santa Maria) once a week. From
Montreal there will be weekly service
to Varadero as well as one
Calgary non stop to Varadero
per week, for a total of 11
flights a week to Cuba for
winter 2011. Yehudi Altman,
Why Cuba?
Cuba is favourite destinaDirector Of Product,
tion for Canadians, offering
WestJet Vacations
fabulous value for the dollar;
great beaches; wonderful people; interesting sights, especially Havana (try our two-centre Varadero/Havana combo);
great WestJet service in the air and when you land our
trained and professional WestJet Experience Representatives
will greet you.
What has you the most excited about
the new product?
A fabulous variety of hotel product, ranging mostly between
4 and 5 star properties.
What advice do you have for travel agents
selling Cuba?
Book soon to get your best deal. We love travel agents and
consider them our partners. Our taxes are lowest in the
industry and as a result we pay more commissions to
travel agents because the package holiday price is
closest to the real price.
What Is Your Favourite Cuba Experience?
The two-centre Varadero/Havana seven-night combo.
Havana (La Habana in Spanish) is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site with so much to see and experience, from museums,
friendly people, ‘mojitos’ at local bars or tourist hotels,
great dining and just exploring the city. Make sure to stop
by the Fort Tres Reyes del Morro Castle located at the
entrance of the bay. Havana’s art gallerias offer contemporary Cuban paintings and don’t forget there’s live
Cuban Salsa music everywhere.
EARLY BOOKING BONUS:
Book by December 10
ALL* bookings eligible for cash
and/or travel rewards
One trip. Two destinations.
A million reasons to go.
Book a Cuba Combo for your clients.
We’re excited to offer a new package this winter that will allow you to book your clients to Varadero and
Havana on the same trip. This 7-day adventure includes 4 nights in Varadero and 3 nights in Havana with
all transfers and meals included.* Part one is Varadero, with its white powder beaches and turquoise reef
waters. Part two plays out for 3 days in Havana with all its history and vibrant culture.
Hotel pairings include:
Varadero Hotel
Meliá Varadero
Havana Hotel
OR
Sol Palmeras
>
Meliá Cohiba
Iberostar Laguna Azul OR
Iberostar Playa Alameda >
NH Parque Central
Barceló Marina Palace OR
Barceló Solymar
>
Barceló Habana
Oasis Turquesa
Breezes Bella Costa
>
Be Live Panorama
OR
Plus, when you give your clients one of these great Cuban combos, you earn yourself a great commission.
And remember, every booking has the backing of 7900 caring WestJetters who are “owners” in a strong
and growing WestJet.
Book today by calling us at 1 877 737 7002.
*Package includes air and four nights at a Varadero hotel, three nights at Havana hotel, all transfers and meal plans as available at the
hotel or resort. See westjetvacations.com for full details. Mailing address: 22 Aerial Place NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3J1
273
Caribbean
[
More than 300 delegates met in Barbados October 8 to 11 at the Caribbean
Tourism Organization’s first-ever Leadership Strategy Conference, hoping to
develop a winning strategy for the future growth and sustainability of the
Caribbean tourist sector.
They heard about the economic challenges
of tourism, and about the different visitor
who is now arriving in the Caribbean – more
demanding and discerning, and seeking
maximum value in a more spiritually fulfilling
vacation experience.
Marketing
IDEAS
44
.95
Taxes and Shipping Extra.
Author Steve Crowhurst, CTC
Bill Cancel/CTO
for Travel Agents
$
]
Follow The Leaders
“No Fluff –
No Theory”
412 pages, 273 Ideas,
700 live links &
100’s of additional
suggestions & variations.
report
• Bermuda
In Golf & Spa Season (November through
March) golf packages and spa specials for
the golf widows. During the Compliments of
Bermuda promotion – every two-night stay
gets you a third night free at many of the
island’s largest hotels (through March 15,
2011). www.bermudatourism.com
“To be successful and
competitive in this ‘new
normal’ environment requires a
• St. Kitts & Nevis
captivating and safe destination
The Four Seasons Nevis will re-open
on December 15, after a two-year
experience, convenient and
affordable airlift, a more refurbishment, offering special package
www.fourseasons.com/nevis The
sophisticated tourism rates.
open-air Beach Club at Sandy Bank Bay is
infrastructure,” said the set to open in early 2011 – it’s the first stage
newly-elected CTO Chairman
Ricky Skerritt, “and a
marketing strategy
that is carefully
targeted, costRicky Skerritt, Chairman
Caribbean Tourism
effective, and
Organization
closely aligned
with the
authentic product offerings of each of our
individual destinations.”
Visitors are looking for
unique and customized
experiences – including
interaction with local
people and culture. A
few of the CTO members
outlined what they have
planned for the upcoming
season:
of a luxury development called Christophe
Harbour on St. Kitts (mega yacht harbour,
marina, Tom Fazio championship golf course,
boutique shopping and five-star hotels).
www.christopheharbour.com
• St Lucia
Hotel Chocolat is opening a new
property on the historic Rabot Estate,
an operating cocoa tree plantation. www.
thehotelchocolat.com The popular
summertime Go Bananas program will
run again in 2011 – room upgrades,
complimentary babysitting, free meals and
stays for kids under age 17.
www.stlucianow.com
– By Jo Matyas
Order today from:
WWW.BIGBARKGRAPHICS.COM
Barbados Tourism Authority
ASK YOUR CONSORTIA
TO BULK BUY!!
CTO’s Leadership Strategy
Conference outlined the importance
of authentic product offerings.
Eco Friendly Family Fun !
asia
Islands In
[
thailand
]
Paradise
Photos Tourist Authority of Thailand
The Joys of Thailand’s Off-Shore Beaches
By Merle Rosenstein
Thailand offers up a feast for
the senses with its ornate Buddhist temples, deeply ingrained
and compelling culture, delectable food, and extreme natural
beauty – including some of the
best beaches in Asia. Many feature silky sand, jade-coloured
water and visually stunning scenery. And there’s a Thai beach for
everyone, whether it’s luxury
beach resorts or budget-friendly
lodgings, secluded seascapes or
party spots that rock all night,
deep sea adventures or space for
quiet contemplation.
42 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller With approximately 1,430 islands and 2,500
kilometres of coastline along the Andaman
Sea, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Thailand,
visitors will be hard pressed to choose just one
or two beaches to visit. Here is a sampling of
Thailand’s most popular island beaches.
Along The Andaman Coast
Despite being hit with a major tsunami in
December 2004, the Andaman Coast is still
a leading destination for visitors to Thailand
with its rugged limestone cliffs, mangrove
trees, blue-green water, golden beaches and
well-developed reefs. With only one third
of Thailand’s coastline along its shores, the
Andaman Sea has over half of the country’s
coral reefs, 210 species of coral, and more
than 100 species of reef fish.
Often referred to as “the pearl of the
Andaman”, Phuket, Thailand’s largest and
most developed island is a favourite beach
destination. With limestone cliffs overlooking
warm azure waters, in-land tropical forests
and dozens of beaches Phuket caters
to singles and families alike, boasting
a number of luxury resorts and spas to
choose from. Close to the mainland,
Phuket is a good base for day trips to
surrounding islands.
Patong, the most popular beach
on Phuket, has a wide range of
accommodations and leisure activities to
keep visitors coming back. With Patong’s
vibrant nightlife, visitors can end a perfect
day at the beach in style.
Khao Lak, a quiet upscale seaside resort
in Phang Nga province 74 kilometres
south of Phuket, is a departure point for
scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands.
Krabi is well known for a number of
amazingly beautiful islands such as Koh
Phi Phi and Koh Lanta and for some of
the most popular diving sites in Thailand.
Kayaking, sailing, birdwatching, and
snorkeling are also among top activities.
A key island destination in Thailand,
Koh Phi Phi, an hour boat ride from
Phuket, is a small archipelago that
offers both high-end and budget
accommodation. Visitors to Koh Phi Phi
can choose quiet seclusion or high energy
pursuits. Packed with exotic marine life,
the islands make an excellent launching
point for snorkeling and diving trips.
Visitors looking for peace and quiet head
to Koh Lanta, a 25 kilometre-long island
with long beaches, relaxed atmosphere,
stunning surroundings and numerous coral
reefs and underwater caves, that attract
many sunbathers, snorkelers and divers.
asia
TOkyo CVB
[
report
]
Tokyo
& Step On It
Access to both Narita and Tokyo International
(Haneda) airports is more convenient than ever with
the introduction of two new rail links. The Skyliner
service began in July and connects Narita’s Terminal
2 with Nippori station in Tokyo in just 36 minutes. At
Tokyo International the Keikyu Line connects to Tokyo
and Yokohama. Air Canada begins non-stop service
between Haneda and Vancouver January 31, 2011.
www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp
Stunning scenery, gorgeous
beaches, kayaking around Thai
islands is just about perfect.
To The Fore
With a large number of coral reefs
and shallow warm water, the Gulf of
Thailand is a popular with divers and
features some of the best diving in the
world. Dive sites offer close-up views
of black tip reef sharks, cleaner wrasse,
sea cucumbers, sea stars, clownfish, and
longnose butterfly fish.
Located in Surat Thani Province off the
east coast of the Kra Isthmus, Koh Samui
is the third largest island and second most
popular destination in Thailand. Perfect
for families on a budget, it features great
restaurants and many activities including
cooking courses, spa treatments, yoga
instruction, Muay Thai training, scuba
diving and golf.
With its own airport, Koh Samui can be
easily accessed by international and domestic
flights. It is also close to Koh Tao, an island
known for its excellent diving.
Koh Phangan, a large mountainous
island located about 100 kilometres off
shore and about 15 kilometres north
of Koh Samui, boasts some of the most
exquisite beaches in Thailand. Less
developed than Koh Samui, Koh Phangan
suits partiers or families looking for a
relaxing beach holiday. Visitors can
enroll in wellness programs, yoga, or
meditations retreats.
The tiny island of Koh Tao (Turtle
Island), 45 kilometres north of Koh
Phangan, is best known as a top
diving destination and as a centre for
environmentally friendly diving practices.
The focus of these practices is the
preservation of coral reefs and protecting
and increasing the number of Hawksbill
and Green turtles, that breed here.
For more information on the beautiful
island beaches of Thailand, go to
www.tourismthailand.org.
And There Was Light
i-City in Shah Alam, Selangor, about 25 kilometres
from Kuala Lumpur, is the first lightscape visitor
destination in Malaysia. Site of Malaysia’s
Independence Day Celebration and the Mid-Autumn
Festival, i-City showcases state-of-the-art LED
technology, that is environmentally friendly. Visitors
stroll through a colourful forest that seems like a
four-season park with dozens of sculptures. i-City is
open 24 hours a day. www.i-city.my
✈
The Gulf of Thailand
The Vietnam Golf Coast is a partnership of golf
and beach resorts in Danang along the Central
Coast. Founding members of the consortium are
Montgomerie Links Vietnam, designed by Colin
Montgomerie and Danang Golf Club crafted by
Greg Norman; The Nam Hai all-villa resort and the
5-star Life Resort Danang; and golf tour operator
Golfasian Vietnam. www.vietnamgolfcoast.com
tourism malaysia
Snorkelling, scuba diving, Thai
beaches are a great place to catch the
action under the water.
Vietnam Golf Coast
Golf clients looking for
someplace really new?
africa
[
cape town
]
Emerging
From The Shadows
Cape Town Leads The Way As South Africa Sheds Its Troubled Past
Text and photos by Mark Sissons
Of the cities that recently hosted World Cup matches, none symbolizes South Africa’s transformation
more vividly than Cape Town, where jaw-dropping beauty is finally emerging from the long shadow
of unspeakable cruelty.
South Africa’s gorgeous playground by the sea radiates an air of
hope; even as troubles continue in a country that is overcoming
its racial and economic divide faster than any nation in history. It
also offers a fascinating picture of a destination with much more
to offer than history lessons on racism.
Robben Island, the desolate prison in Table Bay off the coast of
Cape Town where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, is a museum
and UNESCO World Heritage Site where former prisoners now
lead tours.
Africa’s Alcatraz is among the many similarities between South
Africa’s premiere tourist destination and San Francisco. Both
cities are renowned for their physical beauty, regularly included on
lists of the world’s top 10 most beautiful cities. Each occupies a
rugged, hilly peninsula jutting out into a majestic bay. Even their
breezy climates are similar, as are their hilly, compact, pedestrianfriendly downtowns.
While South Africa’s most popular tourist destination still
struggles with problems such as AIDS/HIV, violent crime
and poverty, recent efforts to improve the city centre, known
as City Bowl, are making it safer and friendlier to explore,
especially on foot. And getting lost is never really a problem,
because TABLE MOUNTAIN, THE CITY’S
ICONIC 900-METRE BACKDROP – accessible
by cable car or on foot along well-marked trails – provides a
continuous point of orientation.
No longer is a stroll down Long Street, a 20-block strip in the
centre of City Bowl, an exercise in personal risk management.
Lined with bistros, used bookshops and Victorian-era buildings
with wrought iron balconies, Cape Town’s bohemian hangout
also has some of South Africa’s oldest churches and mosques –
even a Turkish bath.
Cape Town’s historic working harbour has also undergone a
complete makeover in recent years. Today, the Victoria and Alfred
Table Mountain.
Waterfront is a pedestrian-friendly luxury
residential marina packed with designer
shops, ritzy restaurants and five-star hotels
wedged between mountains and ocean.
Another link to Cape Town’s
fascinating past is BO-KAAP, THE
CAPE MALAY DISTRICT
FAMOUS FOR THE
BRIGHTLY COLOURED
HOUSES lining Chiappini Street.
Malays were first brought here as slaves by
the Dutch soon after they founded Cape
Town as a provisioning station in 1652.
Along with their Muslim faith, Malays
introduced their cooking style, with spicy
results like bobotie (curried ground beef
and egg custard).
Many Malays also spent time in chains
at the Slave Lodge at 49 Adderley Street,
originally constructed in 1679 to house
Dutch East India Company captives.
Thousands lived and died here, and
installations recreate their miserable
existence, along with the inhuman
conditions aboard a typical slave ship.
The rugged, windswept coastline
those death vessels once sailed resembles
parts of California. There’s a decadent
Chiappini Street,
Bo-Kaap.
Come to a place where existence is positive, harmonious and timeless. Where
you’ll encounter Kenya’s giants and Africa’s big 5 as you experience the beauty of nature, peace of the coast and
the thrill of wildlife in one awe-inspiring destination. At highly competitive rates, come for a priceless safari!
Welcome to Magical Kenya.
AFRICA
[
cape town
]
Malibu vibe to seaside enclaves like Camps Bay, with
its powder-white beaches fringed by palm trees,
and Clifton, where luxurious cliff-side houses offer
panoramic ocean views. Chapman’s Peak Drive, a
vertiginous scenic route skirting the rocky coastline,
recalls stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway near Big
Sur. And Constantia Uitsig, a winery where I break for
lunch, could easily be mistaken for a Napa Valley estate.
In fact, it takes guide Owen Jinka – pointing to
a lovely stretch of beach and explaining that during
apartheid it was strictly off-limits to him and his family
because of their race – to remind me of where I am.
I wonder if the colony of African penguins farther south
at the nesting sanctuary of Boulders Beach know where
they are. LIKE STRANDED GUESTS
✈
AT A BLACK TIE PARTY, THEY
WADDLE AIMLESSLY ALONG THE
BEACH, protected by a sheltered cove as I snap their
photos from a raised boardwalk.
If You Go
f Beaches: Canadian nationals need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for
stays of up to 90 days.
f Getting There: South African Airways has daily nonstop flights to Johannesburg
from New York and Washington, with frequent connections to Cape Town.
f Getting Around: If you’re comfortable driving on the left side of the road, a
rental car is the most convenient way to get around Cape Town. Metered taxis
are safe and reliable, but don’t generally cruise the streets, so you should call
and pre-book. Minibus “taxis” are cheap but crowded and unsafe.
f Where To Stay: The newly refashioned Cape Grace (www.capegrace.com)
blends modern luxury with traditional Cape culture on its own private
quay in the centre of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Another upscale option is the newly opened five-star Taj Cape Town
(www.tajhotels.com/capetown), occupying two historic buildings in St. George’s
Mall in the heart of the city centre.
f Recommended Tours: Roots Africa Tours (www.rootsafrica.co.za), arranges
Table Mountain and city tours, as well as daytrips to Cape Point, and multi-day
excursions to the Winelands, Hermanus and the Garden Route.
Boulders
Beach.
TANZANIA • KENYA • RWANDA • UGANDA • SOUTH AFRICA • NAMIBIA • BOTSWANA • ZAMBIA • ETHIOPIA • MOZAMBIQUE • SEYCHELLES • MAURITIUS • EGYPT • MADAGASCAR
SCHEDULED SAFARIS • PRIVATE CUSTOM SAFARIS• LUXURY TENTED SAFARIS • SPECIAL INTEREST SAFARIS • CLIMBS OF MOUNT KILIMANJARO
SOUTHERN TANZANIA FLY-IN SAFARIS • ZANZIBAR HOLIDAYS • FAMILY ADVENTURES • INCENTIVE & GROUP HANDLING • CRUISE SHIP HANDLING
ew
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u od
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R bro
NORTH AMERICAN SALES OFFICE
PSC Inc. Attn: Kathryn Monaco
PO Box 872, Babylon, NY 11702-0872 USA
Tel: 1 800 323 3210 / Fax: 1 631 661 6914
Email: psckmonaco@aol.com
Exceptional destination management for travel professionals
INTERNATIONAL SALES OFFICE
Alpha Travel (UK) Ltd.
98 Bessborough Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 3DH, UK
Web: www.arpsafaris.com - Email: alpha@alphauk.co.uk
A5 PTS Canadian ad 04-10-10.indd 1
46 November 2010 • Canadian Traveller TANZANIA
www.rangersafaris.com
KENYA
www.pollmans.com
05/10/2010 18:44:59
THE ONLY
NON-STOP
FLIGHTS
TO RUSSIA
Reservation and Ticketing: 877-747-1191
www.Transaero.com
connecting flights to:
Israel, Kazakhstan, Ukraine

MESA StAtE of Mind

Transcription

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